The Hollywood Riviera marker project began in 2012 as an effort to place a monument to identify our unique, historic neighborhood. “Friends of the Hollywood Riviera” formed to oversee this process. Planning and design is complete and the City of Torrance has given its approval.

Now you have the opportunity to support this exciting project.

The marker will be placed at the corner of Monte D’Oro and Palos Verdes Blvd. (see maps and photos below) which was the original entrance to Hollywood Riviera. It will be 14 feet long and 5 feet high. The front uses a font that is a close replica of the one used in original promotional materials for the neighborhood. As seen from the front, the marker will resemble this artists’ conception:

Front of Marker facing Palos Verdes Blvd

The engraving will state:

Dedicated November 2016 by the Friends of the Hollywood Riviera

The rear of the Marker will document a brief history of the Riviera and will be set with custom/period tiles (from a Torrance company), as shown:

Rear of the marker (click for larger image)

The entire text, as pictured above, reads as follows:

The Hollywood Riviera was established by developer Clifford F. Reid in 1928. Inspired by the beauty of its seaside location and surrounding hills, he coined the name due to his familiarity with the French Riviera and to attract residents from the movie industry. Sales initially boomed but were soon constrained, first by the Great Depression in 1929 and later by World War II. By 1941, only 42 Mediterranean style, red-tile roof homes and one apartment house had been built. Ultimately, it was the aerospace industry rather than Hollywood that contributed to the neighborhood’s growth. The postwar housing boom in 1945 spurred new construction and the original Mediterranean architectural restrictions were abandoned. Hollywood Riviera’s borders expanded over time and came to include approximately3,100 homes.

Location

Here is a map showing the planned placement, at the entrance to the Hollywood Riviera, coming up from the Riviera Village shopping district:

Click map to enlarge

Here is the location as seen by a pedestrian crossing Palos Verdes Blvd:

How you can help

The Friends of the Hollywood Riviera are raising money from residents and other donors who see the value in identifying our neighborhood with its rightful name. Often, we are labelled as just another part of Torrance, or even of Redondo Beach. There will be no legal implications associated with the marker itself. However, we see the value of our homes and community enhanced by this impressive monument to our neighborhood and its history. The funding goal is $16-$18,000 with a completion date scheduled for November 2016.

The Riviera Homeowners Association (RHA) supports this effort as it dovetails with our charter and our goals, and we encourage any donations, large or small.